Creating Effective Participation Plans for Students with Extensive Support Needs

Dr. Jennifer (“Jenny”) Kurth is an associate professor of special education at the University of Kansas. Her work centers on inclusive education for students with extensive and pervasive support needs, and she co-developed practical “participation plans” that general and special educators build together to support students in general education classes. Jenny Kurth makes the case that inclusive education is a social‑justice issue because the “wealth, opportunity, and privilege” in schools live in general education—not in separate settings. She walks through how participation plans work (ecological assessment, general + individualized supports, embedded instruction, and prioritizing a few big learning goals) so students with complex support needs learn with their peers. Jenny also pushes the field to move beyond labels and placement continuums—toward “specialized supports” that follow the student—and reminds educators to use the power they already have to advocate, collaborate, and “find another way.”Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/jenny-kurth-implementing-inclusive-education-with-participation-plans/